Kids blamed for Maui home fire

An early morning fire yesterday that caused an estimated $350,000 in damage to a Kahului home and its contents was apparently caused by children playing with a lighter, according to the Maui Fire Department.

Firefighters responding to a 12:01 a.m. call yesterday found the three-bedroom home on Lono Avenue engulfed in flames. The fire was brought under control just before 1 a.m. and extinguished at 3:32 a.m.

No injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross assisted the displaced residents of the home with shelter, food and other needs.

2 teens arrested after robbery

Police arrested a teenage girl and boy early yesterday morning after they allegedly robbed a 22-year-old man in Waikiki.

The 16-year-old girl approached the man about 12:30 a.m. and demanded his money, then slapped him, police said. The victim gave her his money.

As he tried to flee, a 19-year-old man grabbed him and punched him in the back of the head, police said.

The victim escaped into a liquor store and called police.

Officers arrested both suspects on Kanekapolei Street, the man on suspicion of second-degree robbery. The girl’s information was not on the police arrest log because she is a juvenile.

Argument leads to alleged assault

Police arrested a 17-year-old boy after he allegedly beat a 29-year-old man during a traffic argument Friday in Makiki.

When the argument escalated, the boy tackled the man to the ground and punched him repeatedly about 2:40 p.m., police said.

The boy grabbed a rock and threatened to hit the man with it, but the boy’s girlfriend pulled him away, and they drove off, police said.

Officers stopped the couple nearby and arrested the boy on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree assault.

The man was treated at the scene for his injuries.

Police seek suspect in bank robbery

Police are looking for a suspect who robbed the First Hawaiian Bank Friday in Waikiki.

The suspect approached a teller at the branch at 2181 Kalakaua Ave. about 4:15 p.m., police said. He handed her a note demanding money and fled before officers arrived.

Examiner IDs body found in water

A 40-year-old diver whose body was found off Kahala Beach Friday has been identified by the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s office as Justin Aneo of Honolulu.

Aneo was reported missing about 10 p.m. Thursday, prompting a search by a fire helicopter along the shoreline for more than two hours.

A beachgoer spotted his body in the water at about 6 a.m. Friday.

Big Isle fires cost $470,000

KAILUA-KONA » Big Island Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira says Hawaii County spent $470,000 extinguishing three fires in South Kona.

The figure doesn’t include $160,000 in assistance provided by the National Park Service, the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Oliveira says lightning apparently ignited fires at the Yee Hop and Hokukano ranches that covered more than 1,400 acres between Dec. 17 and Jan. 7.

He says officials have not determined the cause of the Kealakekua Mauka fire. It broke out Dec. 27 and consumed about 1,800 acres before being extinguished in February.

Oliveira says the fire department will work with South Kona ranchers to determine how better to handle future fires.